Community Foundation marks 40 yearsPope County Community Foundation is participating in the statewide celebration of 40 years spent helping Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars and learn more about community needs. From an initial gathering of 13 community leaders in 1976, Arkansas Community Foundation has grown into a dynamic statewide connection for good. In the past 40 years, more than $310 million has been gifted to the Community Foundation, and while...

Chase ends when vehicle hits homeDARDANELLE — A 33-year-old white male is in jail after crashing his car into a residence on the corner of Front Street and Highway 7 on Thursday. The suspect is being held pending bond at the Pope County Detention Center and could face charges of burglary and felony fleeing. Russellville Police Cpt. David Ewing said the vehicle was stopped by police in connection to a burglary that occurred on the 800 block of East Norristown Circle earlier th...

City council approves fire station bidThe Russellville City Council voted 5-3 during its regular meeting Thursday night to accept the construction bid of the new Central Fire Station that totaled $6,498,993.77. Finance Committee Chairman Mark Tripp was told by Chad Weisler of Van Horn Construction Inc. that the cost could be reduced depending on some material prices that have not come back, and value engineering will still be utilized throughout the project construction. Voters ap...

Alternative Summer ProgramsFor working parents looking for more than a babysitter this summer, Pope County has a range of options. From Bible study to daily field trips, there are a few programs that offer a range of activities to keep kids having fun and learning throughout the summer. Nelson Learning Center offers a summer program for children entering first grade through seventh grade. The program offers field trips to local businesses, various parks in Pope and Yell...

Dover marshals recognized at recent meetingDover City Marshal Barry Walker, who recently returned to full-time duty after recovering from injuries in the line of duty, presented accolades for a number of his deputy marshals to the Dover City Council at its May 17 meeting. He said he had placed a letter of appreciation in the personnel file of Deputy Marshal Josh Titsworth praising Titsworth’s actions in assisting officers in a neighboring jurisdiction in identifying and apprehending a ...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Rummage 'Round the Rails'A few friends of the Depot — a committee of Main Street Russellville — prepare items for sale at this year’s 16th annual “Rummage ‘Round the Rails” which begins at 1 p.m. today at the Russellville Historic Missouri-Pacific Depot located at 320 West C Street. The project raises money that will match grant money the city received for the renovation of the Historic Depot. Saturday’s sale will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hector holds discussions about construction projectHECTOR — After an extensive discussion, the Hector City Council tabled action on a grant application to the federal Transportation Alternatives Program despite a June 1 deadline but gave Mayor John Riley authorization to proceed at his own discretion. Riley told the council during Monday’s regular meeting he was approached by Civil Engineering Associates of Conway with information on the federal program which provides 80 percent matching grant...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Council convenes tonightThe Russellville City Council will conduct its May meeting at 6 p.m. today inside Russellville City Hall. The Finance Committee will meet at 5. Among the agenda items for tonight’s meeting include hangar leases at Russellville Regional Airport. The Finance Committee voted during its May 10 meeting to let leases expire. Animal Control Director Mike Vernon is scheduled to give aldermen a report. The council will also hear from Autumn Hearst on t...

Involvement a key topic at meetingOne member of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee told several co-workers the time was now to get involved in the future of Russellville. After they introduced themselves during Tuesday’s Steering Committee meeting at Russellville City Hall, the diverse group of men and women talked about getting many more involved. “Before you decide where you want your city to go, you have to decide where you are as a city,” James Walden of Garver told...

Memorial service honors policeThe Russellville Police Department (RPD) conducted a memorial service Wednesday morning at the Pope County Sheriff’s Office. Many officers from various police departments were in attendance. Guest speakers included Mayor Randy Horton, Mary Carmikle, president of Arkansas Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S), State Sen. Greg Standridge and Capt. David Ewing of RPD. Carmikle’s husband, Monty Carmikle, was killed in 2008 in the line of duty. “H...

Johnson County sheriff coming homeCLARKSVILLE — The Johnson County sheriff started his trip back home Tuesday after an emotional few days in Washington, D.C. where he suffered a stroke. Sheriff Larry Jones was released from a Virginia hospital after he suffered a stroke Sunday during National Police Memorial Day ceremonies in Washington. He, his wife and Chief Deputy Shannon Holman accompanied the family of JCSO Auxiliary Reserve Deputy Sonny Smith, who lost his life May 15, 2...

Russellville man killed in auto accidentLITTLE ROCK — A 52-year-old Russellville man lost his life in an automobile accident on Interstate 40 in Pulaski County on Monday. According to an Arkansas State Police (ASP) report, Charles Abrams was driving a 2002 Toyota around 11:30 a.m. Monday westbound on Interstate 40 in Pulaski County. The vehicle entered the 142-mile marker off ramp, left the roadway, turned and rolled on its driver’s side and struck a tree. The report indicated road ...

Man and brother accused of raping 14-year-oldWhile investigating the alleged rape of a 14-year-old female by Paul L. Myers, 41, on Sunday, Pope County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Investigator Chris Ridenhour discovered Paul's brother, Kenneth D. Myers, 43, may have also had sexual contact with the victim. Ridenhour testified during felony bond hearings on Wednesday inside the Pope County Detention Center that during his investigation involving Paul, the victim reported that Kenneth had also ...

Couple tells PCSO rape occurred 'hundreds of times'Autumn R. Wilkins, 24, clenched her fists on the table as Pope County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Investigator Chris Ridenhour told District Judge Don Bourne that Wilkins and her husband, Christopher A. Wilkins, 39, admitted during an interview that they had raped a juvenile female multiple times when the girl was between the ages of 12 and 14. Wilkins and her husband, who had eight visitors during felony bond hearings on Wednesday inside the Pope...

Convicted sex offender accused of molesting minorsPaul L. Myers, 41, shook his head and scoffed as he listened to Pope County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Chris Ridenhour testify that Myers had raped two underage females and threatened them with a knife. Ridenhour also told District Judge Don Bourne on another occasion, Myers had taken photographs of two other minors and held their heads in a “bleach or soap” solution when the children discovered him. After hearing testimony, Bourne determin...

Dover Housing Authority board amends ACOThe Dover Housing Authority Board of Commissioners met Thursday in its regular monthly meeting and approved a revision of the facility’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy (ACO) in order to conform to federal regulations, a step Executive Director Metta Holman said was long overdue. Holman said she had discussed the proposed changes with residents. Most changes which would affect residents had to do with leveling facility charges. She gave the...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Pair attacks man with baseball batsSteven B. Lampkin, 18, and William G. Jackson, 21, appeared in felony bond hearings with District Judge Don Bourne on Monday inside the Pope County Detention center facing charges of second degree battery after an incident involving a baseball bat. Lampkin and Jackson were arrested on Saturday after Russellville Police officers were dispatched to Motel 6 in reference to a physical disturbance. Once on scene, the victim stated he was attacked b...

Officers recognized during National Police Week2016 has already seen line of duty deaths of 35 officers according to the The Officer Down Memorial Page. The men and women of law enforcement are not only America’s peace keepers; they are fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends. For those who died and those living, this is a week dedicated to honoring their sacrifice and remembering the surviving families of the fallen. The week of May 15-21 will bri...